Method of dehydrating crude oil



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Patented July 27, 1926.

UNITED STATES 1,593,893 PATENT OFFICE.

.l: J. Y, 011' HOUSTON, TEXAS.

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I0 Drawin ity. Such oil is commonly called cut oil, and when the mixture is particularly homogeneous, it appears to coagulate into what is termed basic sediment. When in this condition the oil cannot be readily separated from the water by present known methods of treatment. Indeed some basic sediment resists all attempts at separation by commercial processes heretofore used. It may stand for years without separating and is commonly considered as an undesirable waste product which cannot be easily disposed of.

My invention has for its object the provision of a process of treatment of crude petroleum, or other oil, emulsified with water so that the water and any other impurities therein may be separated from the oil. It is desired to treat the oil and basic sediment so that the separation by gravity of the foreign matter will take place in a minimum length of time and in a most economical manner. It is adapted for use with all grades of mineral oils and even may be adapted for separation ofwater from other oils.

In carrying out my invention, very little equipment is needed. The impure or emul-v sified oil is placed in any convenient container, such as a tank or vat, preferably equipped with. steam pipes therein, whereby the oil ma be heated when desirable. When the tank as been filled, and the oil thus ready, it first may, or may not, be heated, as desired. I then throw into the mass about 1% or less by weight of salt. The salt I prefer to use is common salt, or sodium chloride, and I have found that any cheap grade or kind of salt may be used.

I next place in the contents of the tank about of 1% by weight of finely pulverized clay or earth, and I have found that clay containing mineral particles, that is a mellow earth easily pulverized, will best act to cause separation of the water and oil.

1 Diatomaceous clay secures most efiective results. Fullers earth, sandy loam, pulver- Application filed December 4, 1925. Serial No. 78,259.

ized silicious clay or rock and similar earths all act, in combination with the salt to produce good results. Where the emulsion is not strongly resistant to separation, heat need not be applied, but where old and longstanding basic sediment is treated, heat should be applied until the mass foams about 204 Fahrenheit). The heat may t enbe turned off and the oil may next be allowed to stand and then be run off, the oil being found after this treatment entirely free of emulsion. The brine and clay may be again employed in treatment of the next batch of basic sediment.

The process as described is employed without change except that if very little water is present in the oil, a small quantitymay be added to assist in the dissolving of the salt. Also the order of adding thesalt and clay is not found materialand, if desired, they may be added simultaneously. It is also to be noted that, while the small proportions ofsalt and clay described are entirely efiective, the addition of greater amounts will not vary the results. The proportions noted are those found especially efl'ective, but they may be varied without materially changing the manner in which the dehydration is effected. I do not wish therefore to be limited to the exact-proportions of the ingredients employed, nor to the use of heat, it being understood that some kinds of emulsion are, much more resistant,

to separation than others. However, the

most obstinate mixtures of oil and basicsediment can thus be separated, at a cost that is low compared with other methods,

and this is accomplished in a very short by weight of common salt, and about one tenth of one per cent by weight of ulverized clay, settling out the water, an draw ing off the oil.

3. A method of separating emulsions of water and oil comprising placing the emul- Q, weaeee sion in a container, adding thereto small 5. A method of dehydrating oil comprisin quantities of salt and diatomaceous clay, ing mixing with said oil comparatively heating the mixture and drawing'oif the oil. small quantities of pulverized clay and com- 4. A method of dehydrating petroleum mon salt, heating the mass until it foams, oil com rising mixing with said oil about allowing the separation. of the water and one tent of one 'per cent of pulverized clay, oil by gravity, and then drawing oflt' the oil. 16' and a small amount of salt, heating the mix- In testimony whereof I hereunto afiix my ture, allowing the separation of the water signature December, A. D. 1925.

from the oil, and drawing off the oil. Y RICHARD J. BARRY. 

